I seem stressed out all the time. I think it has a bit to do with the fact that I've been told I have a low sperm count.

Question

I think it has a bit to do with the fact that I've been told I have a low spem count.

I'm a lorry driver and work away from home all week. I get so wound up. I often feel like just stopping and crying.

I used to able cope, but now I don't understand what's happened to me.

I'm a very proud man, and this seems the only way I can communicate my problem.

If I went to my GP, I could lose my license – and if I lost my job I would be in an even worse state than I am in at the moment.

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Can you help?

Answer

David writes:

I'm going to leave the question of your stress to Christine.

I just want to say a brief word about your low sperm count.

Lorry drivers are the classic sufferers from this because they spend so long sitting down in a hot environment.

This is due to the temperature of their testicles getting too high.

You need to discuss this with whoever is treating your low sperm count.

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Christine writes:

You're undoubtedly very stressed, and you may need your doctor to sign you off work for a bit.

But your GP should be sympathetic to your anxieties about your job and ought to be able to find words for your condition that will let your company know you're unwell, without encouraging them to think that you're flaky or a liability.

But there's then the question of tranquillisers because your doctor may feel that you should go on these.

My feeling is that these may help, but only if you use them for a short time just to get yourself some rest from all your anxiety symptoms.

As you probably know, tranquillisers are extremely addictive – so they should never be considered a remedy for longer than a couple of weeks or so.

So, what are you going to do to alleviate your considerable stress long term?

Can you talk to your partner or friends?

You say you're a proud man, but where has this got you?

You feel absolutely hellish. I'm sure you need to talk about your feelings to someone.

So, please stop being the strong silent type and talk to your GP, your partner, your mother or a friend.

Your GP should be able to get you some counselling – and there's no disgrace in that. Quite the contrary – it's a very responsible thing to do for yourself.

Other stress busters are sport or other exercise, yoga, massage and hypnosis.

There are also good relaxation tapes available, and these can bring stress levels right down if you listen to them properly on a regular basis.

You can buy these in chemists or get excellent ones by mail order from a company called Lifeskills. Their telephone number is: 01823 452110 or visit www.lifeskillsdirect.com.

Finally, there are more good books on stress than I can count. You can pick a number of books that can help you to think differently about all the strains you're inflicting on your mind and body.

Please remember that no-one is invincible. We all have our breaking point – and you've reached yours.

You've done the right thing in contacting us.

Now, please do some of the things we advise and start learning to control your stress instead of letting it control you.

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